Attachment for playpens



Dec. 22,1959 J. c. PAYNE 2,917,864

v ATTACK-WENT FOR PLAYPENS Filed Oct. 21, 1957 Jane! C. Payne 1N VEN TOR.

l6 BY (WOW 3% United States Patent ATTACHMENT FOR PLAYPENS Janet C. Payne, Stony Brook, N.Y.

Application October 21, 1957, Serial No. 691,502

1 Claim. (Cl. 46-43) This invention relates generally to an amusement-device for children which takes the form of a portion of or an attachment for playpens.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a device for young children which will give them many hours of facination and enjoyment.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel playpen attachment to amuse children.

The specific novelty of this invention lies in the provision of apparatus for a childs playpen and presents a descending channel path to accommodate an object such as a ball or a toy car to fascinate the child through the rolling action.

A further point of novelty lies in the specific formation of the apparatus which provides for one end to enter the playpen to return the object to the child so that he may roll it down the channel path again.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a view of a playpen including the attachment of this invention in perspective; v

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the invention removed from the playpen; and

Figure 3 is a sectional detail view taken substantially through plane 33 of Figure 2showing the specific construction of the U-shaped track member and the clamp member.

Referring specifically to the drawings numeral generally designates a childs playpen. The specific construction is not necessarily vital to this invention and it may take the form of four stationary slatted side walls as is shown in the Figure l or a type containing collapsible walls or for that matter even a playpen containing more than four walls. Numeral 12 designates a U-shaped track member having a closed end 14 and an open end 16. The legs of the U-shaped member are designated as 18 and the bight portion as 20. The U-shaped track member 12 is constructed in such a manner that the closed end 14 is at a higher elevation than open end 16 so that a descending path is provided for an object placed in the U-shaped track member at 14.

Furthermore, the U-shaped track member 12 is shown containing two generally right angles at 22 and 24.. The right angle 22 is adapted to closely fit around the joint between two side walls 26 and 28 of the playpen 10. Right angle 24 of U-shaped track member 12 re-enters the playpen at 30.

Clamp means 32, 34 and 36 are affixed along the length of the track member 12 and are arranged in a manner to retain the track member 12 in stable position on playpen 10. All the clamp members are generally in the 2,917,864 Patented Dec. 22, 1959 form of U-shaped clamps having extensions 38 which are cemented to the bight portion 20 of track member 12.

The clamp member 32 is shown with its bight portion 40 above its leg portions 42 in such a manner that it can support the track 12 on upper rail 44 of side wall 26. Clamps 38 and 36 are attached to the track member 12 in horizontal position and they fit around legs 44 and 46 of the playpen 10 in order to stabilize the U-shaped track member 12 in relation to the playpen 10.

The operation of the present invention should be apparent to one skilled in the art. A child in the playpen would take an object such as a ball or a toy car 48 and place it within the U-shaped member 12 at closed elevated end 14. Upon release of the object gravitational forces will cause the car 48 to roll down the bracket member 12, around right angle 22, around right angle 24, and then through open end 16 into the playpen. The car 48 would then be in a position to be returned by the child to the closed elevated end 14 of U-shaped member 12 for another trip down the track member. It should be evident that the device will provide many hours of amusement and enjoyment for the child.

Many modifications of the present invention should be apparent to one skilled in the art. Though no particular material has been suggested heretofore for the U-shaped track member, it should be clear that a rigid plastic or metal could be used. Furthermore, if desired the track member could be constructed of a flexible hard rubber. It is also pointed out that there is an inherent reason for employing only two sides of the playpen and that one or all the walls of the playpen may be utilized with proper construction of the present invention. It is further to be noted that the invention is not only drawn to an attachment for playpens but also to a new playpen construction wherein the track member would be included in the original construction. Only a few modifications have been suggested and it is apparent that numerous other modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the foregoing is to be considered only as illustrative of the principles of the invention and it is pointed out that it is not the desire to limit the invention to the exactconstruction and operation shown and described, and therefore all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

A track member adapted to be attached adjacent to a childs playpen, said playpen having at least two angularly related straight side walls, said track member having a U-shaped cross-section, said U-shape including a bight portion and two leg portions, a first straight portion on said track member, a second straight portion on said track member, said first and second straight portions being angularly related, the angle between said straight portions being substantially equal to the angle'between said two side walls, a first clamp comprising an inverted U-shaped member fixed to said first straight portion, a second clamp comprising a horizontally U-shaped member fixed to said track member at the juncture of said straight portions, a third clamp comprising a horizontal member fixed to said second straight portion, said first clamp adapted to detachably support said first straight portion from a first of said side walls, said second clamp adapted to detachably support said track member at the juncture of said straight portions from the juncture of said side walls, said third clamp adapted to detachably support said second straight portion from a second of said side walls, said U-shaped track adapted to be supported in a position whereby said bight portion is below said leg portions, said first straight portion having an end elevated with respect to the other track portion so as to establish a continuous descending path along the track member, a third straight portion on said track member transversely related to said second straight portion and said second side wall whereby said track member is adapted to form a confining descending path for'a freely movable object placed in said track member at said elevated end for guiding said object into said playpen.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Boyce May 4, 1920 Slutzker Z Oct. 31, 1950 Bucsko et a1 July 29, 1952 Wisener Dec. 3, 1957 

